Image Source: BCCI
[Saba Sports News] The IPL franchises face an October 31 deadline to announce retentions for the 2025 mega auction. Per BCCI guidelines, each of the 10 teams can retain up to six players using retention and Right To Match (RTM) options. These can include a maximum of five capped players (Indian or overseas) and up to two uncapped players.
According to ESPNCricinfo, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have finalized five retentions, led by MS Dhoni, with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, and Matheesha Pathirana completing the list.
CSK’s retentions will cost at least INR 65 crore from their total purse of INR 120 crore, leaving them with INR 55 crore for the December auction, where they can still use the RTM option to reclaim a player. The franchise will reportedly retain Dhoni under the uncapped rule for INR 4 crore, as his last appearance for India was in the 2019 World Cup.
Recently, Dhoni expressed his desire to enjoy “the last few years of cricket” at a slower pace, sparking speculation of a 2025 return despite passing CSK’s captaincy to Gaikwad. “I just want to enjoy the game like I did in my childhood, without the pressure,” Dhoni said.